Ladybird Wildflower Center

Ladybird Wildflower Center is one of my favorite places in Austin. I dropped Dan at work and headed south for another free admission day. Cheapskate, I know, but one day I will be able to give back. Wandering around alone in this place is inevitable. Even if I were with a group of 20 I could find myself drifting off in a plant and architecture induced trance. Those archways are beautiful AND functional - they help transport the rainwater caught from the roof to the 12,000 gallon cistern, part of their "rain-harvesting operation".

I went off on one of the property's trails toward the windmill. I snapped an awful pic but it shows my new haircut.

At the trail head a sign warns you of rattlesnakes and cougars!! I also happened upon some crazy wildlife. I intently watched as this red-striped ribbon snake darted around a mini-pond trying to catch a frog.

Then I did a 180 and watched this female orb-weaver of some sort wrap up some of her catch.

I stayed there until I almost dried out from the sun and had to leave for a drink of water. Twas a beautiful day!

Dream Week

Well, we've had the great opportunity to be able to socialize and eat out lately. A few nights ago we visited a restaurant we've been wanting to try since we first spotted it - Clay Pit. Our friends even went back the next night it was so good. Dan was updating his blog and asking me details about this trip and today's lunch stop at Thai Tara. I started to drool. We've been lucky enough to have eaten such wonderful food lately. I started thinking that this was the best week ever! No, I can think of a better Best Week EVER! It starts like this:

Sunday: Dim Sum (cuz I'm traditional like that), Five Guys cheeseburger w/ french fries, Indian (Clay Pit or Zaranj in Calcutta). Wash it down with a milkshake.

Monday: sugar, pb, chocolate chip cookies (fresh from the oven), NY style pizza, Thanksgiving dinner. Wash it down with milk (cuz it's homey).

Tuesday: pork roll and cheese on a Kaiser, Hellshire fish and festival, Salt Lick BBQ. Wash it down with water (because you don't want the drink to cover up the smoke flavor).

Wednesday: NJ diner: 1 egg over easy w/ sausage link, buttered white bread, home fries, cuban (Cuba Libre in Atlantic City or Philadelphia) – beans/rice, plantain, ropa vieja, Chicago pizza. Wash it down with a famous Cuba Libre mojito!

Thursday: salt fish flittas (made by PoPo), Italian sub (dripping in oil/vinegar), hibachi, Coke

Friday: sausage egg cheese biscuit, Thai Kitchen (Bridgewater, NJ), German spaetzel w/ veal in a mushroom sauce, beer

Saturday: ice cream, Gratzi's Caesar salad of yesteryear w/ cheesy fondue, Sauteed scallops/fish and chips in Galway, Ireland. all washed down with 4 bottles of vodka. Because after that week, what do I have to live for?